By Jolene Farley
Hills-Beaver Creek School Board memvers approved a 4-percent increase in the 2002-03 budget at their Monday meeting.

The board action raises the budget from $2,292,644 last year to $2,384,350 this year. The jump will cover cost-of-living pay increases to employees, according to Superintendent Dave Deragisch.

He said salaries represent about 85 percent of the budget.

Deragisch will present the final budget draft for approval at the board meeting on Sept. 23.

More students this year
More students mean increased revenue to the district, so Deragisch was pleased to report better-than-anticipated enrollment.

"We are really sitting in pretty good shape, financially, compared to what I thought in June," Deragisch.

A total of 300 students were enrolled for the first day of classes at H-BC. Of those, 153 were high school students and 147 were elementary students.

Those student counts include 13 new open enrolled students, eight in the elementary and five in the high school, from Iowa, South Dakota and neighboring Minnesota districts.

"Our numbers are looking good," said Deragisch. He said his goal is to maintain student numbers or gain.

State aid is weighted in favor of high school students. The district is reimbursed an average of $5,000 per open enrolled student.

Board member Gary Esselink asked if administration monitors new students that move into the district.

Deragisch said he frequently receives calls or tips from area residents when new families move to the district.

"I think we have a pretty good handle on who should be here and who is here," he said.

In other board business:
Coronation is at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16. The homecoming dance will be at the Beaver Creek Golf Course to avoid wear and tear on the gym at the high school, let the volleyball team practice, and eliminate decorating time and expenses.

The elementary open house will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23.

More than 70 elementary students responded to a questionnaire sent home about starting a soccer league. The first game will be Saturday, Sept. 14. Volunteers are needed.

By Jolene Farley
At their Monday meeting, Hills City Council members approved a 2003 budget of $239,045 with a levy of $52,089, a 5-percent increase to taxpayers.

The council had agreed unofficially at the last meeting to a levy of $55,089. Council member Arlen Leenderts wanted that figure decreased by $3,000.

"I feel it's too much," he said. "Myself, I feel we should do some cutting."

Leenderts, who wasn't present at the August council meeting when budget allocations were discussed at length, said he wanted to keep any budget increase around 5 percent.

After some discussion, the council decreased funds allocated for the American Legion building by $1,000, funds allocated for the purchase of a new tractor for the city by $1,000 and funds allocated for the purchase of a pickup by $1,000.

Jellema said the budget is really just a numbers game.

"The cold hard facts remain," said Mayor Jim Jellema. "When one of these babies is done (tractor or pickup) we're going to have to do something."

In other board business:
The council cancelled water restrictions; then discussed other water-related topics.

Mayor Jim Jellema suggested obtaining a price on a larger pump for the city well. Jellema was concerned about the possibility of running out of water during a dry period or a period of heavy water usage.

"I would like to have a backup," he said. "If we end up with a six-inch line, it's not going to make much of a difference, but we could just as well use that water for the elevator or for fires."

Discussion stemmed from a Tuesday, June 25, incident when the city water tower was pumped dry.

Rock County Rural Water has offered an option of installing a six-inch water line from two miles north of Hills to the northern edge of town.

The larger water line would increase water pressure and capacity, but would cost the city $219,024.

The council will meet with Rock County Rural Water and a Rural Economic Development representative Tuesday, Oct. 8, to discuss the proposed water improvement project.

Leenderts suggested the land the city owns behind the Southern Hills Apartments should be surveyed and possibly sold. The council anticipates the land could be divided into three or four lots.

"Maybe we should get someone in there and measure the thing off," Jellema said. "We need a legal description to it for sale."

Council members decided to start council meetings at 6:30 p.m. rather than 6 p.m. beginning in 2003.

It just occurred to me that primaries could be more important than the final election.

Not just locally - with the auditor/treasurerÕs office having seven candidates - but in state offices. Primaries are important, because in theory, the best people make it through to the final election.

I consider primaries to be like weeding a garden before the harvest, if you know what I mean.

A very important race takes place this year in the office of Rock County Auditor/Treasurer.

Not being from here, I won't vote based on personality or family history - and even if I knew that about the candidates, I wouldn't form a decision on those factors anyway.

I don't think church affiliation matters, and I wonÕt count candidates' children or volunteer activities when I make my vote.

This is a position that manages county finances, investments, tax collections, elections and a host of other important duties that voters need to take seriously.

Good luck at the polls, and may the best woman win.

I honk for anonymity, not bumper stickers
A few weeks ago, I pondered the use of bumper stickers to proclaim car drivers' theories on life.

I've gotten a few comments since then and found a list of interesting bumper stickers that are clever ... but I still wouldn't put them on my car.

If You Drink Don't Park, Accidents Cause People

If At First You Don't Succeed ... Blame Someone Else And Seek Counseling

If You Can Read This, I've Lost My Trailer

Horn Broken ... Watch For Finger.

You're Just Jealous Because The Voices Are Talking To Me

The Earth Is Full - Go Home

I Have The Body Of A God ... Buddha.

This Would Be Really Funny If It Weren't Happening To Me

So Many Pedestrians - So Little Time

Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult

The Face Is Familiar But I Can't Quite Remember My Name

Eat Right, Exercise, Die Anyway

Honk If Anything Falls Off

Cover Me, I'm Changing Lanes

He Who Hesitates Is Not Only Lost But Miles From The Next Exit

I Refuse To Have A Battle Of Wits With An Unarmed Person

You! Out Of The Gene Pool!

Where Are We Going And Why Am I In This Handbasket?

Heart Attacks ... God's Revenge For Eating His Animal Friends

How Many Roads Must A Man Travel Down Before He Admits He is lost?

Money Isn't Everything, But It Sure Keeps The Kids In Touch

My Hockey Mom Can Beat Up Your Soccer Mom

All Men Are Animals, Some Just Make Better Pets

Your kid may be an Honor Roll student but you're still a moron

Sears gets new owners
The Luverne Sears Store, which was opened by Tim and Karis Gust in 1999 will be getting new owners.

Brett and Tammi Miller, Luverne, have purchased the business from the Gusts and will take over on Sept. 29.

According to Brett Miller, who currently is working in Sioux Falls, he will start training for his new management responsibilities next week in Chicago.

As for the Gusts, they will still own and operate the Furniture House, and Tim is planning to move NationSat, to Luverne in the near future.

NationSat, a company he started a year ago with a partner in Minneapolis, is a custom satellite system for nursing homes, hospitals and motels nationwide.

A few rows of corn could reduce drifting
Although the weather has been nice and hot lately, we all know that snow drifts are not too far away.

With that in mind, the Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to help reduce some drifting on the roads by planting a few rows of corn.

In an effort to reduce drifting, Mn/DOT will pay farmers who are willing to leave a few rows of cornstalks standing throughout the winter in snowdrift areas.

Mn/DOT is looking for farmers with fields to the north and west of state highways, where there is a demonstrated drifting problem in the windblown maintenance area of southwestern and south central Minnesota.

Anyone in Rock County interested in the program should contact the Windom office at 800-804-3295.

The appropriate maintenance supervisor will then contact the area farmers to make arrangements.

If you are eligible for the program, you could be asked to leave six to eight rows of corn about 200 feet from the edge of the field.

Mn/DOT may also ask the farmer to leave an additional row another 150 feet out in the field.

Farmers are then paid $2.75 per estimated bushel. They are also allowed to pick the corn by hand as long as the cornstalks are left in good condition.

Beaver Creek TIC to celebrate 30 years.
Sept. 1, 1972, the Beaver Creek Travel Information Center opened its doors for the first time.

Thirty years later, the center is celebrating its birthday by handing out free fall vacation packets during September.

The facility is located on the east-bound lane of Interstate 90 at the Minnesota/South Dakota border. It is operated by the Minnesota Office of Tourism.

Nan Karr Kaufenberg, the supervisor of the center, is encouraging everyone to stop out for a cup of coffee and get some ideas for a fall color vacation or mini trip.

Historical Society holds annual banquet
The Rock County Historical Society will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, September 17, at the Blue Mound Banquet Center.

This year, the speaker will be Lloyd Peterson from Southwest State University, Marshall.

PetersonÕs topic is World War II. Last year, he talked to the group about the Civil War and brought several Civil War artifacts which were a big hit with the audience.

The event is also used as a fund-raiser, and this year a nine-square quilt will be raffled. The quilt is on display in the window of the Luverne Style Shop.

A silent auction is will also raise money by selling several items donated by local businesses.

The event starts at 6 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the Luverne Chamber of Commerce, the Carnegie Cultural Center or at the door on the night of the event.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Gale H. Hellerud, 70, Mazeppa, formerly of Hills, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Services were Sunday, Sept. 8, at United Methodist Church in Mazeppa. The Rev. Allan Vrieze officiated. There was a private burial.

Gale Henry Hellerud was born to Henry O. and Eva (Goodwin) Hellerud, July 25, 1932, in Hills. He grew up in Hills and graduated from Hills High School in 1950.

He entered the U.S. Air Force on June 18, 1951, and was honorably discharged on Dec. 29, 1953. He entered St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree.

He married Dora Jean Tibbits on June 8, 1957, in Canby. He began teaching and coaching at Magnolia High School in Magnolia. In 1962 they moved to Ronan, Mont., where he taught and coached there for one year. In the fall of 1963 they moved to Mazeppa and he taught English and coached basketball, football and track for 25 years, retiring in 1988. After he retired, he entered Rochester Community College and was a student and worked in the photography department.

Mr. Hellerud was a member of United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #588, a charter member of Mazeppa Lions Club and served as Mayor of Mazeppa for two years. He also volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels and Seniors Transportation and was active in the community.

Survivors include his wife, Dora, Mazeppa; two daughters, Nancy Hellerud, St. Paul, nd Julie Hellerud, Denver, Colo.; one brother, Robert (Jeannie) Hellerud, Hills; two sisters, Betty Copler, Pine Island, and Eleanor (Louis) Sargent, Luverne; nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law.
Mr. Hellerud was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorials to the Gale Hellerud Scholarship Fund.

Mahn Family Funeral Home, - Larson Chapel, Zumbrota, was in charge of arrangements.

Adella Graphenteen, 92, Luverne, formerly of Hardwick, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.

Services were Saturday, Sept. 7, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial was in Trosky Cemetery, Trosky.

Adella Lorenzen was born to Max Peter and Emma (Arp) Lorenzen on Sept. 29, 1909, on the family farm in Pipestone County. She grew up on the family farm and attended country school.

She married George Graphenteen on Sept. 1, 1928, in Pipestone. The couple made their home on a farm near Hardwick. She helped her husband on the farm and worked as a nurse's aide for more than 25 years at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne. When the couple retired from farming, they moved to Luverne. Mr. Graphenteen died in June 1985. She moved to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in 1999.

Mrs. Graphenteen was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne and Hardwick Serviceman's Club of Hardwick.

Survivors include three sons, Harold Graphenteen, Fulda, Dale Graphenteen, Iowa, and David Graphenteen, Wisconsin; one daughter, Marvella Wilson, Wisconsin; 18 grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Elmer Kruger, Luverne; one sister, Viola Kindt, Luverne; a sister-in-law, Alta Lorenzen, Luverne. and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Graphenteen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George, a daughter, Maxine Kruger, an infant son, a great-grandson, five brothers, Herman, Albert, Walter, Frank and twin brother, Herbert, and three sisters, Edna Strassburg, Alma Oye, and Clara Verdoes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Arnold Charles Walgrave, 89, Luverne, died Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, at Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone.

Services were Friday, Sept. 6, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was at St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery in Luverne.

Arnold Walgrave was born to Charles and Adelaide (DeSchepper) Walgrave on Jan. 30, 1913, in Annawan, Ill.

He married Lucille F. Clark on Feb. 24, 1943, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. After their marriage, the couple farmed in the Luverne area where they lived all of their married lives.

Mr. Walgrave was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne and the Rock County Sportsman's Club. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, fishing, chocolate and drinking coffee with friends and his family.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille Walgrave, Luverne; eight children and their spouses, Jean (Phil) Haller, Duluth; Carol Kiviranna, Las Vegas, Nev., Rod (Judy) Walgrave, Vance (Becky) Walgrave, Mark (Pam) Walgrave, all of Luverne, Randy (Gayle) Walgrave, Chetek, Wis., Nancy (Orlin) Friedrich, Goodhue, and Debbie (Jack) Boomgaarden, Magnolia; 26 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ardean "Bub" (Audrey) Walgrave, Luverne, and Don (Beverly) Walgrave, Redwood Falls; four sisters, Ruth Cook, Mexico Beach, Fla., Delores (Darrell) Strassburg, Luverne, June (Gene) Erlandson, Rushmore, and Joyce (Roger) Walser, Downers Grove, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Walgrave was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Mathew Friedrich, three brothers, Harold, Robert and Eli Walgrave, one infant brother, and one sister, Alice Kammerud.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Josef Ronald Smallfield, Luverne, an infant, was stillborn Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital.

Private family services will be conducted later.

Survivors include his parents, Brent and Richelle Smallfield, Luverne; three sisters, Kianna, Sabreena and Jalena, all at home; his grandparents, Mary Peterson, Bushnell, S.D., Jerry and Judy Miller, Lake Campbell, S.D., and Jim Smallfield, Elkton, S.D.; greatÐgrandparents, Bob and Donna Heikes, Chester, S.D., Glenna Halseth, Brookings, S.D., Elmer and Mable Smallfield, Brookings, S.D., Evelyn Engelbrecht, Flandreau, S.D.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Josef was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ron Peterson, and his great-grandfathers.

Skroch Funeral Chapel, Elkton, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial services for Darwin Rikkers will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at former Stateline Presbyterian Church, rural Ellsworth.

Darwin K. Rikkers, 40, rural Ellsworth, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2002, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., following a lengthy illness with cystic fibrosis.

Darwin Keith Rikkers was born to LeRoy and Dorothy (Dekker) Rikkers on Sept. 29, 1961, in Hull, Iowa. He attended school in Hull and later attended Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, Iowa. He worked in various places in the area as a mechanical draftsman.

He married Susan Craft on Jan. 13, 1988, in Inwood, Iowa. The couple lived in Rock Rapids, Iowa, for a few years prior to moving to a farm near Ellsworth. They raised a variety of animals including registered Herefords. They also bred a variety of dogs at their home.

Mr. Rikkers was a member of the National Rifle Association and enjoyed hunting as well as collecting and shooting guns. He also enjoyed woodworking when he was able.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Rikkers, rural Ellsworth; three daughters, Ashley Spurlin, Andrea Hauge, both of Sioux Falls, and Amy (Justin) Ross, San Diego, Calif., five grandchildren, Brady Spurlin, Mark, Chloe and Cassidy Ross, and Mason Taylor; his father, LeRoy, Hull; one brother Rick (Deb) Rikkers, Sioux Center, Iowa; and maternal grandfather, Christian Dekker, Orange City, Iowa.

Mr. Rikkers was preceded in death by his mother, maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents.

Heritage Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, is in charge of arrangements.